Premier Medal Winners Celebrated

Sandgate-Redcliffe allrounder Darcey Johnson claimed her first Kath Smith Medal, finishing six points clear of teammate Tess Cooper as her performances across the Katherine Raymont Shield one-day and T20 formats and KFC T20 Max competition secured her the major women’s award.

University of Queensland opener Bryce Street joined rare company as a dual winer of the Peter Burge Medal, adding to his 2022-23 award.

Street, a Queensland Bulls squad member, joins former Australian player Adam Dale (1993-94 and 195-96) and ex-Bulls allrounder Aaron Nye (2002-03 and 2006-07) as dual winners of the Peter Burge Medal.

Street finished more than 20 points ahead of Northern Suburbs paceman Sam Neale, with the left-hander’s summer headlined by his immense batting performances.

Averaging 50 across all formats, he hit three centuries and four half centuries enroute to his season aggregate of 806 runs.

Street’s three centuries was the equal most in the competition, joined by his fellow UQ and Bulls opener Angus Lovell.

In addition to his outstanding batting, Street proved a more than handy performer with the ball, taking 15 wickets at an average of 17.

Johnson, 20, was ultra-consistent across all formats for Sandgate-Redcliffe, taking the most wickets in the Katherine Raymont Shield. Her haul of 32 wickets at an average of just 12.91 placed her seven ahead of the next most prolific wicket-taker.

She also hit 349 runs, with her efforts in the white ball formats, including outstanding fielding skills, underlining her potential.

The former Queensland youth player finished the season in the Queensland Women’s 2nd XI, playing two matches.

She was also awarded the Loretta Moore Trophy for the most improved Under-21 Female Player, while Toombul quick Tom Balkin received the Bob Spence Trophy for the most improved Under-21 Male Player.

Balkin played for Queensland in the Toyota Second XI competition during the season and was named in the Bulls squad for their One Day Cup game against NSW during the summer.

Other major individual awards presented included the Bob Spence Medal for Premier Cricket Umpire of the Year to Ben Farrell, Clem Jones Trophy for Volunteer of the Year to Peter Murphy (Sandgate-Redcliffe) and STA Curator of the year to Craig Jesberg (Redlands).

The Kath Smith Medal is awarded each season to the best and fairest women's cricketer playing in Queensland Premier Grade Competition as judged by the umpires.

The award is named in honour of Kath Smith, who played six Tests for Australia in the 1930s and was vice-captain of the Australian team that played the very first women's Test against England at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground in December 1934 and for the two subsequent Test matches played during January 1935 in Sydney and Melbourne.

She was also the vice-captain of the Australian team for the tour to England in 1937, again playing in the three Test matches played.

Past recipients of the medal include the likes of Mel Bulow, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, and Grace Harris.

The Peter Burge Medal is awarded each season as judged by the first-grade umpires.

The award is named in honour of Peter Burge, widely regarded as Queensland's finest home-grown batsman, and was first presented in 1990.

Burge enjoyed a 15-year Sheffield Shield career, scoring 7,627 runs at an average of 56.08, including 24 centuries, in 91 matches.

He captained Queensland 29 times. He also played 42 Test matches for Australia, scoring 2,290 runs at 38.16, including four centuries.

Top 10 Peter Burge Medal – 2024-25

57 pts. Bryce Street (University of Qld)

• The Peter Burge Medallist for season 2024/25, Bryce Street! Following his stellar season, he becomes just the third dual recipient of the Peter Burge Medal, following Adam Dale (1993/94,1995/96 - Wynnum-Manly) and Aaron Nye (2002/03, 2006/07 -Wests). Street’s summer was headlined by his immense batting performances. Averaging 50 across all formats, he hit three centuries and four half centuries en route to his 806 runs. Street’s three centuries was the equal most in the competition, joined by his fellow University opener Angus Lovell. In addition to his outstanding batting, Street proved a more than handy performer with the ball, taking 15 wickets at an average of 17.

35. Sam Neale (Northern Suburbs)

• Neale finished the competitions leading wicket taker across all formats, with 52 to his name at an average of 15. It was a breakout summer for Neale, who not only took on the Norths captaincy but also clearly became his side’s main spearhead with the ball in all formats. Neale He clearly enjoyed the added responsibility, leading his side to the two day premiership. 

33. Preston White (Toombul)

• Last year’s Peter Burge Medallist Preston White was again at the forefront for Toombul. White’s 669 runs and 29 wickets were a major factor towards Toombul claiming the minor premiership. While he might not have had quite the same returns as last season, White was never far away from the action. Across the competition, he finished seventh for runs scored and eleventh for wickets taken, placing him clearly at the top of the competitions allrounders.

31. Sam Heazlett (Redlands)

• Heazlett returned to his best form this season for the Tigers, scoring the third most runs in the competition (867). Having faced injury setbacks in recent seasons, the consistent performance will have been an even sweeter feeling for the former Queensland Bull. Heazlett showed class is permanent as he led all run scorers for the one day competition and finished the season with four half centuries and two centuries for the Tigers. 

30. Chad Soper (Sunshine Coast)

• Soper was the competitions standout performer with the ball in the two day season, leading all wicket takers. His seamers saw the Sunshine Coast finish second on the ladder and reach the grand final. He took a remarkable 46 two day wickets at an average of just under 15. His season best performance came in an outright win against the minor premiers Toombul, where Soper took 7/56 and finished with 11 wickets for the match. He took 4 five wicket hauls, which was two more than the second placed Neale.

26. Callum Taylor (Gold Coast)

• Taylor led the Dolphin’s batting this year and scored runs across all three formats for his side. The middle order player notched four half centuries and one century, many of which came in match defining situations. However, his most impressive performance came in a loss against Wynnum-Manly where he scored 84* of the Gold Coast’s 160. He also took an impressive 16 wickets, sending down handy overs when his side needed it most.

26. Lachlan Hearne (Toombul)

• Hearne had a shortened club season due to state duties, however his impact was still immense for Toombul. Hearne was the competitions fifth highest run scorer despite playing at least four less matches than his peers. He was one of the players of the KFC T20 Max tournament, blasting 347 runs. His season best performance came against University in the two day campaign, where he scored a brutal yet outstanding 163 which featured 8 boundaries and 6 sixes.

25. Nick Fletcher (Sunshine Coast)

• In his first season in Queensland Premier Cricket, the former Melbournian made a massive impact for the Scorchers. A genuine bowling allrounder, Fletcher was frequently in the action and, along with Soper, was a significant reason behind their surge into runners up for the two day season. Fletcher only played two thirds of the season, and while his 389 runs and 19 wickets don’t necessarily leap of the page, it was more of a case of quality over quantity. His influence on matches was immense, particularly throughout the red ball campaign. 

25. Cam Boyce (Valley)

• Boyce was once again at the forefront of the competitions spin bowlers, leading the way for the KFC T20 Max premiers Valley. His 34 wickets at 17 show how troublesome he still is to face for batters across the competition. In the KFC T20 Max, Boyce only conceded 26 runs or less in seven out of the nine matches, including a 1/11, 3/16 and 1/17.

23. Jack Wildermuth (Valley)

• Playing predominantly as a batter throughout the season due to injury, Jack Wildermuth was able to return to top form for Valley. It was magnificent to then see him take this form into the Sheffield Shield for Queensland to help secure the Bulls a final. Wildermuth notched four half centuries and one breathtaking century. His 176 (180) against the Scorchers featured 14 boundaries and 9 sixes and was undoubtedly one of the innings of the entire summer. He also hit 71 (34) against Sandgate Redcliffe late in the two day season, an innings which had ten maximums.

Top 10 Kath Smith Medal – 2024-25

32 pts. Darcey Johnson (Sandgate-Redcliffe)

• Going from strength to strength this season, Darcey Johnson is the well-deserved recipient of the Kath Smith medal for 2024/25. Playing a major role for Sandgate-Redcliffe all season saw the off-spinner take the most wickets in the Katherine Raymont Shield. With 32 wickets at an average of just 12.91, this was considerably higher than second place on 25. Maturing with the bat this season, Johnson also smashed 349 runs especially shining in the one-day format. As well as being a standout athlete, the Kath Smith medallist is known for being humble and a superb team player for Sandgate-Redcliffe. Single handedly winning multiple games this season with all-round performances, the 20-year-old is certainly a prospect for the future of Queensland Cricket.

26. Tess Cooper (Sandgate-Redcliffe)

• The veteran for Sandgate continued to show her class once again this season as the competitions leading run scorer. With 715 runs at 47.67 in the Katherine Raymont Shield and another 195 runs in T20 Max, it was an impeccable season for the opening batter. Certainly a close contender for the Kath Smith Medal, Cooper also led Sandgate to the grand final in both the One Day and T20 Max Competitions.

23. Mikayla Wrigley (Sunshine Coast)

• Last year’s Kath Smith medallist had yet another stellar season for the Sunshine Coast. Striking runs with ease helped Wrigley gain selection for the Brisbane Heat, Queensland Fire and Queensland Second XI sides. Only making a few Katherine Raymont Shield appearances due to other commitments, this did not stop the wicketkeeper-batter from smashing 464 runs in the competition at an average of 92.8.

20. Tara Wheeler (University of Qld)

• A big game player, the leg-spinning all-rounder has had yet another incredible season. With 25 wickets to her name, Wheeler has shown why she continues to be a top bowler within the Katherine Raymont Shield. Technically correct is certainly the best way to describe the capped Queenslander’s 267 runs this season.  

19. Sianna Ginger (Valley)

• A strong season for Ginger has seen the 20 year old not just average 70.6 with the bat but also gain selection in the Australia A set-up. When reminiscing on Ginger’s season, scores of 97 vs UQ, 84 vs Sandgate, and 81* vs Gold Coast come to mind. Opening the bowling, the pace bowler also picked up a handy 10 wickets.

19. Charli Knott (University of Qld)

• As one of the Queensland Fire’s leading players, Knott never misses an opportunity to represent her club – The University of Queensland. With 5 appearances in the regular season and 3 in the T20 Max, the spinning all-rounder showed class. Striking 3 fifties with a top score of 82, Knott is known as one of the best team players and is certainly an athlete that leads from the front.

19. Ruby Strange (Wests)

• The Western Suburbs captain missed many games this season due to injury but this did not stop Strange from being a standout in this list. The all-rounder has shown great versatility with both bat and ball once again this season. Strange is past recipient of this award claiming it alongside Tara Wheeler in the 2021/22 season.

19. Elyse Villani (Wynnum-Manly)

• While the Tasmanian’s stay in Brisbane was short, Villani certainly made an impact in the T20 Max Competition. In just 8 matches, the Wynnum captain smashed 544 runs at an average of 90.67. This effort included two centuries, three fifties, and multiple match-winning performances. Villani continued solid form in the WNCL, WBBL, and for her home club team in Tasmania with 1507 runs across all formats.

19. Emma Jackson (University of Qld)

• The left-handed batter performed at every opportunity especially in the shorter format this season. Jackson, known for her legside dominance had a phenomenal T20 Max campaign with 277 runs and a premiership for UQ. The aggressive batter never has a strike rate under 100 and continued her scoring streak with 416 runs in remainder of the season. The DDSWQ product was also awarded selection in the Queensland Country side that toured to the Barossa Valley in January.

18. Caitlin Mair (Sandgate-Redcliffe)

• Outstanding with the gloves this season, Mair played a large role in the success of Sandgate including the clubs One Day minor premiership. With 7 stumpings, 10 catches, and 12 run outs to her name, Queensland Second XI selection was certainly earnt. Finishing up as the competitions second highest run scorer, Mair struck 597 runs effortlessly at an average of 45.92.

Women’s First Grade Team of the Year (One Day)
Tess Cooper (Sandgate-Redcliffe), Mikayla Wrigley (Sunshine Coast), Georgie Boyce (Sunshine Coast), Sianna Ginger (Valley), Darcey Johnson (Sandgate-Redcliffe), Tara Wheeler (University of Qld), Rachel Priest (Sunshine Coast), Mia Croucamp (Sandgate-Redcliffe), Catherine White (Sunshine Coast), Amreen Kahlon (Wynnum-Manly), Peyton Meredith (Sunshine Coast). Coach Darren Sonter (Western Suburbs).

Men’s First Grade Team of the Year (Two Day)
Bryce Street (University of Queensland), Addy Grewal (Toombul), Angus Lovell (University of Qld), Aryan Jain (South Brisbane), Harry Wood (Ipswich), Preston White (Toombul), Brandon Faber (South Brisbane), Brad Munro (Gold Coast), Sam Neale (Northern Suburbs), Angus Tolhurst (Western Suburbs), Chad Soper (Sunshine Coast). Coach Ash Holznagel (Norths).